James Leonard
Ceist:117 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the cross-Border discussions, if any, there have been regarding a joint approach to biomass production, such as short rotation forestry. [19453/96]
Written Answers. - Biomass Production.
My Department is actively involved in the agriculture and forestry biomass network. This group is co-ordinated by Teagasc and funded under the EU Altener programme. Representation is from the farming sector, universities and colleges, environmental and energy consultants, agricultural agencies and Government Departments. Membership is drawn from both sides of the Border. The group is working to identify the barriers to agricultural based biomass energy development. The cross-Border dimension of this initiative has allowed for information exchange on both the energy and agricultural aspects of biomass development.
In addition, the Energy Challenge programme, which is funded under INTERREG II, allows for a cross-Border approach to biomass development. In 1995, Energy Challenge supported a feasibility study proposal on wood biomass to energy, submitted by a network of groups and experts from the North and the Republic. A new Energy Challenge was launched in September this year and also includes grant support for biomass to energy feasibility studies.